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Research Highlights: Kharif 2014/Research Priorities: Kharif 2015

RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS: KHARIF 2014

AND

RESEARCH PRIORITIES: KHARIF 2015

CSK HP KRISHI VISHVAVIDYALAYA

PALAMPUR 2015

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Kharif-2014/ Research Priorities: Kharif-2015

2

ACHIEVEMENTS DURING KHARIF 2014

AND

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES FOCUSING KHARIF 2015

Rainfall Pattern

The state normally receives 843.5 mm average rainfall during Kharif (1 June to 30

September) season. During Kharif 2014, Kangra received 1054.8 mm, Mandi 1050.8 mm, Una

863.5 mm, Hamirpur 889.9 mm, Sirmaur 873.5 mm, Shimla 555.9 mm, Bilaspur 638.2 mm,

Chamba 469.3 mm, Solan 774.7 mm, Kullu 409.3 mm, , Kinnaur 47.8 mm and Lahaul & Spiti

92.2 mm rainfall. The state received 521.6 mm rainfall which was deficit (-38.2%) during the

season. The onset of monsoon took place on 1st July (5 days late) than its normal onset of around

25th June.

Good amount of rainfall received during the month of May proved beneficial for the start

of sowing of maize. All most all the districts during the month of June witnessed deficit (less than

20 % of normal) and scanty rainfall (less than 60 % of normal) except Solan and Una where near

normal rainfall (± 19 % of normal) was received. Heavy rain, high winds and hailstorm during

first week of June in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra and other districts of the state badly

damaged apple, mango and vegetable crops. But further below normal rainfall and consequent

low soil moisture affected the sowing of maize and direct seeded rice at some areas where the

sowing had not been completed earlier. Though the rainfall receipt during June in the state was

below normal by 47% but had not affected the growth of maize, rice and vegetables significantly

in larger part of the state.

During July, Shimla received excess ( 20 %) rainfall whereas Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi,

Sirmaur, Solan and Una received normal rainfall. The remaining districts received either deficit (-

20 to -59 %) or scanty rainfall (-60 to -99 %). During August, all the districts received deficit

rainfall except Hamirpur, Mandi and Una. The subdued rainfall activity during first week of

August, 2014 proved beneficial for maize crop but no rain during the end of August affected rice.

During September, Kullu, Mandi, Solan and Una received normal rainfall and all other districts

received either deficit or scanty rainfall. Flowering in rice was reported to be delayed due to less

rainfall and prevailing high temperatures.

Since June 1 to September 30, 2014, most of the districts experienced either deficit or

scanty rainfall whereas Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla and Una received near normal rain fall. A total

of 521.6 mm rainfall was received in the state against the normal of 843.5 mm, the corresponding

value for 2013 was 778.0 mm (Table 1).

Monsoon withdrew from the state on 5th October against its normal date of 21

st

September. These rains interfered with harvesting of maize crop in some areas. Rains during first

week of October interfered with the harvesting of and the already harvested paddy crop in some

pockets of Kangra district. High winds on 8th October also damaged standing paddy crop in

Kangra and Mandi district; paddy, maize and tomato in Hamirpur and Solan; maize in Una and

peas, kidney beans and maize in Shimla district.

_______________________________________________________________________

Lecture delivered by Dr. N.K. Pathania, Director of Research, CSK H.P. Krishi

Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur in the Agricultural Officers’ Workshop on Kharif crops held

at CSKHPKV, Palampur on May 12, 2015


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Table 1. Monthly rainfall during Kharif, 2014 in Himachal Pradesh as compared to

Kharif, 2013.

Month June July August September Seasonal total

Actual (mm)

2014 52.9 214.4 167.8 86.5 521.6

2013 241.1 221.9 246.1 68.9 778.0

Normal (mm) 99.3 311.1 290.8 142.4 843.5

Departure (%) from normal

2014 -47 -31 -42 -39 -38

2013 143 -29 -15 -52 -8

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

June July August September

Rainfall (mm) during Kharif season 2013 and 2014 in H.P.

2013 2014 Normal

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

Rainfall departure (%) during Kharif season 2013 and 2014 in H.P.

2013 2014


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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: KHARIF-2014

Significant research accomplishments for different ongoing programmes of the

University during Kharif-2014 are given as under:

Crop Improvement

Varietal Development Status

Maize:

Two promising single cross hybrid belonging to medium maturity group i.e. EHL

3412 (66.3 q/ha) and EHL 5213 (79.95 q/ha), and an early maturing single cross

hybrid EHL 4213 (73.7) has been developed.

During kharif, 2014, twenty five maize hybrids supplied by various private

companies were evaluated along with two checks PMZ-4 (modified single cross)

of Monsanto company and a single cross hybrid, Vivek-21 of VPKAS, Almora at

six different locations of CSKHPKV ( Palampur, Sunder Nagar, Kangra, Akrot,

Bajaura and Dhaulakuan).

Based upon overall performance of private sector maize hybrids tested at

the locations Dhaulakuan and Akrot in Zone-I of the State, it was recorded that

none of the entries could statistically out yield the best check, PMZ-4 (92.85q/ha)

however, entries KH-517 (75.62q/ha.), BIO-650 (68.12 q/ha.), KH-1229 (68.99

q/ha.) and PAC-712 (69.92 q/ha.) recorded significantly lower yield as compared

to the best check. The remaining 20 entries were statistically at par for seed yield

with the best check PMZ-4(Table 2).

The twenty five hybrids tested in Zone-I were also evaluated for their performance

in Zone-II of the State, at the testing centres of the University at Palampur, Sunder

Nagar, Kangra and Bajaura. Significantly higher seed yield was obtained in

entries DKC- 9144 (93.79 q/ha.) followed by NMH-007 Bond (91.96 q/ha.) over

the best check PMZ-4 (81.44 q/ha.).Three entries viz PAC-712 (70.10 q/ha.), KH-

1229 (61.78 q/ha.) and DKC-9151 (69.64 q/ha.) recorded significantly lower yield

over the best check PMZ-4. All the remaining 19 entries yielded statistically at par

with the best check PMZ-4 (Table 3).

At Dhaulakuan (Zone-I), two hybrids namely Super-2020 and KMH-7021

were found to be susceptible to Erwinia Stalk Rot (ESR) showing 30% infestation,

on the basis of which these entries were adjudged unsuitable for cultivation in the

Zone-I of the State.

In summation, in Zone-I of the State,18 maize hybrids viz, KH-2192,

DKC-9140, NMH- 007 (BOND), DKC- 9151, PL-1515, DKC-8144, P-3377,

KMH-3110, DKC-9144, P-3007, NMH- 589, DKC-9145, PG-2444, BIO-9220,

DKC-9152, MM-7707, RASSI-4558 and PG-2487 were found suitable for

commercial cultivation. In Zone-II of the State, 21 maize hybrids viz, DKC-

9144,NMH-007 (BOND), RASSI- 4558, DKC- 9151 , KH-2192 , KMH-3110,

DKC-9145, DKC-9140 , PL-1515 , KMH-7021, BIO- 9220, P-3377, PG-2487,

DKC-8144, Super- 2020, MM-7707, KH-517, P-3007 , NMH-4589, BIO-605and

PG-2444 were found to be suitable for commercial cultivation.


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Table 2: Mean performance of maize hybrids for seed yield (q/ha) over locations in

Zone-I of HP during Kharif 2014

* Significantly lower yielder over the best check (PMZ 4)

** Ranking given to the hybrids found suitable for cultivation in the State

S.No. Name of the

Hybrid

Company/Organization Overall

Mean

Rank** % increase

/decrease over best

check (PMZ 4)

1. KH-517 Kanchan Ganga Seeds 75.62* - -18.55

2. KMH-3110 Kaveri Seed Company 88.83 9 -4.33

3. P-3377 PHI Seeds 93.13 7 0.30

4. PL-1515 Proline Seeds 94.47 5 1.74

5. DKC-8144 Monsanto India Ltd 93.26 6 0.44

6. DKC-9152 Monsanto India Ltd 81.47 17 -12.25

7. GA 85 Godrej Seeds and Genetics - - -

8. RASSI-4558 Rassi Seeds 79.24 19 -14.6

9. NMH-589 Nuziveedu Seeds 85.20 12 -8.24

10. Vivek 21 ( C

) VPKAS, Almora 83.53 16 -


12. SUPER-2020 Kaveri Seeds 84.98 - -8.47

13. PMZ-4 (C ) Monsanto India Ltd 92.85 8 -

14. BIO-9220 Bio Seeds research India 83.85 15 -9.69

15. MM-7707 Meta Helix life Science 81.35 18 -12.38

16. PG-2487 Plant Gene Seeds 76.71 20 -17.38

17. KMH-7021 Kaveri Seeds 79.15 - -14.75

18. P-3007 PHI Seeds 85.93 11 -7.45


20. BIO-605 Bio SeedsResearch India 68.12* - -26.60

21. KH-1229 Kanchan Ganga Seeds 68.99* - -25.69

22. PG-2444 Plant Gene Seeds 84.08 14 -9.44


24. KH-2192 Kanchan Ganga Seeds 107.54 1 15.82

25. PAC-712 Adventa Seeds 69.92* - -24.69


27. NMH-

OO7(BOND) Nuziveedu Seeds 94.78 3 2.07

CD (5%) 16.66


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Table 3: Mean performance of maize hybrids for seed yield (q/ha) over locations in

Zone-II of HP during Kharif 2014

S.N0. Name of the

Hybrid

Company/Organization Overall

Mean Yield

(q/ha)

Rank***

%

increase/decrease

over best check

(PMZ 4)

1 KH-517 Kanchan Ganga Seeds 79.79 18 -2.06

2 KMH-3110 Kaveri Seed Company 85.70 6 5.23

3 P-3377 PHI Seeds 81.58 12 0.17

4 PL-1515 Proline Seeds 82.59 9 1.41

5 DKC-8144 Monsanto India Ltd 80.71 15 -0.89

6 DKC-9152 Monsanto India Ltd 88.50 4 8.87

7 GA 85 Godrej Seeds and Genetics - - -

8 RASSI-4558 Rassi Seeds 89.29 3 9.68

9 NMH-589 Nuziveedu Seeds 76.79 21 -5.71

10 Vivek 21 ( C ) VPKAS, Almora 77.27 20 -


12 SUPER-2020 Kaveri Seeds 80.62 16 -1.00

13 PMZ-4 (C ) Monsanto India Ltd 81.44 14 -

14 BIO-9220 Bio Seeds research India 81.73 11 0.35

15 MM-7707 Meta Helix life Science 80.51 17 -0.01

16 PG-2487 Plant Gene Seeds 81.44 13 0.00

17 KMH-7021 Kaveri Seeds 82.58 10 1.39

18 P-3007 PHI Seeds 78.75 19 -3.30

19 DKC-9151 Monsanto India Ltd 69.64* - -14.49

20 BIO-605 Bio SeedsResearch India 74.79 22 -8.16

21 KH-1229 Kanchan Ganga Seeds 61.78* - -24.14

22 PG-2444 Plant Gene Seeds 74.20 23 -8.78

23 DKC-9144 Monsanto India Ltd 93.79** 1 15.16

24 KH-2192 Kanchan Ganga Seeds 85.90 5 5.47

25 PAC-712 Adventa Seeds 70.10* - -13.92


27 NMH-

OO7(BOND) Nuziveedu Seeds

91.96**

2 12.92

CD (5%) 8.43

* Significantly lower yielder over the best check

** Significantly higher yielder over the best check

*** Ranking given to the hybrids found suitable for cultivation in the State

Rice:

At Dhaulakuan, two entries HPR 2344 (78.1 q/ha) and IR 64 (81.8 Q/ha) significantly out

yielded the check variety HKR 126 (69.8 q/ha) among long duration varietal trial.

Hybrid HR 3 (83.1 q/ha) was highest in grain yield followed by HR 1 (79 q/ha) and HR 2

(74 q/ha).

During kharif, 2014, nine rice hybrids supplied by various private companies were

evaluated along with two checks Arize-6129 and Arize Swift at five different locations

i.e. two in Zone-I ( Dhaulakuan, Una,) and three (Kangra, Malan and Sunder Nagar) in

Zone –II of the State. In Zone-I the evaluation report of only Dhaulakuan station was

considered as the evaluation trials conducted at Una was not satisfactory. Based upon

overall performance of private sector rice hybrids tested at the location Dhaulakuan in

Zone-I of the State, it was recorded that rice hybrid BS-10008(73.0 q/ha)) and JKRH-

2082(66.4 q/ha) statistically out yielded the best check Arize-6129(57.7q/ha), however,

entries NPH-909(50.4q/ha) and Neha (45.6 q/ha.) recorded significantly lower yield as


7

compared to the best check. Remaining 4 entries were statistically at par for seed yield

with the best check, Arize-6129 (Table 4).

The nine rice hybrids tested in Zone-I were also evaluated for their performance in Zone-

II of the State, at the testing centres of the University at Sunder Nagar, Kangra and Malan.

None of the entries significantly out yielded the best check Arize- 6129. Entries NPH-909

(53.3 q/ha) and Neha (49.29) q/ha) recorded significantly lower yield over the best check

Arize- 6129(69.99 q/ha). All the remaining 6 entries yielded statistically at par with the

best check Arize- 6129 (Table 4).

The overall maturity duration of the entries ranged between 119(NPH-909) to 136

days (JKRH-2082). Almost all the hybrids exhibited highly resistant to moderately

susceptible reaction types to various diseases under natural conditions. On the basis of

overall performance of rice hybrids towards disease reaction, two rice hybrids namely

NPH-909 and Neha were found to be susceptible to leaf blast and neck blast and were

adjudged unsuitable for cultivation in the State (Table 5)

In summation, 6 rice hybrids viz, BS-10008, JKRH-2082, NPH-369(Raja), BS-049, BS-

6129Gold and JKRH-2067 were found suitable for commercial cultivation in Zone-I of

the State

In Zone-II of the State, 6 rice hybrids viz. JRKH-2082, BS-10008, BS-049, JKRH-2067,

NPH-369 Raja and BS-6129 Gold were found to be suitable for commercial cultivation.

Table 4: Grain yield of different hybrids tested during Kharif 2014 in Zone – I of Himachal

Pradesh

Sr.

No. Code Hybrid

Yield (q / ha) Rank

Dhaulakuan

1 1401 BS – 10008 73.0* 1

2 1402 JKRH – 2082 66.4 * 2

3 1403 Arize 6129 (c) 57.7 5

4 1404 BS – 049 60.9 4

5 1405 NPH – 909 50.4** 9

6 1406 GAP – 4011*** - -

7 1407 Arize Swift (c) 52.0 8

8 1408 NPH – 369 (Raja) 63.1 3

9 1409 Neha 45.6** 10

10 1410 BS – 6129 Gold 56.3 6

11 1411 JKRH - 2067 53.0 7

CD (P = 0.05) 6.27

CV 6.36

*Significantly higher yielder over the best check

** Significantly lower yielder over the best check

***Godrej Seeds and Genetics Ltd has not deposited the testing fees hence the test

results of hybrid GAP-4011 have not been included in the report.


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Table 5: Grain yield of different hybrids tested during Kharif 2014 in Zone – II of Himachal

Pradesh

Sr.

No. Code Hybrid

Yield (q / ha) Rank

Sunder

Nagar

Kangra Malan Mean

1 1401 BS – 10008 53.33 98.69 62.64 71.55 2

2 1402 JKRH – 2082 50.18 97.61 73.53 73.77 1

3 1403 Arize 6129 (c) 50.54 98.11 61.33 69.99 3

4 1404 BS – 049 48.69 96.91 51.20 65.60 4

5 1405 NPH – 909 40.89 75.10 43.90 53.30* 9

6 1406 GAP – 4011** - - - - -

7 1407 Arize Swift (c) 40.77 88.33 50.11 59.74 6

8 1408 NPH – 369 (Raja) 29.52 92.53 55.56 59.20 7

9 1409 Neha 23.10 65.95 58.82 49.29* 10

10 1410 BS – 6129 Gold 27.50 100.57 40.63 56.23 8

11 1411 JKRH - 2067 40.77 91.43 62.09 64.76 5

CD (P = 0.05) 14.19

CV 13.34

*Significantly lower yielder over the best check

**Godrej Seeds and Genetics Ltd has not deposited the testing fees hence the test

results of hybrid GAP-4011 have not been included in the report

Pluses:

Mash

Three promising varieties of mash viz.. DKU 4 (13-15q/ha), DKU 6 (14-15q/ha),

KU 223 (14-15q/ha) having resistance against major disease like MYMV,

cercospora leaf spot, anthracnose and web blight have been identified.

Cowpea

Entries CP 3 (13.3 q/ha), CP 4 (11.1 q/ha), CP 5 (11.3 q/ha), CP8 (11.4 q/ha) and

CP 41 (14.2 q/ha) were promising.

Oilseeds:

Soybean:

Green and bold seeded soybean variety Himso-1685 (P69-8-1-1) having higher

seed yield (22q/ha) as compared to the green seeded check variety Hara Soya

(14q/ha) has been identified. It also has rresistance to diseases like frog-eye leaf

spot, pod blight and bacterial pustules.

Fodder Crops:

Evaluation of private company hybrids revealed that bajra hybrid Milk feed gave

513 q/ha of green fodder and 59.4q/ha of dry matter yield over locations. It was

found suitable for cultivation in Zone I and Zone II of the State.

Evaluation of private company fodder hybrid of maize revealed that the maize

hybrid KH 988 recorded 307.3 q/ha of green fodder and 52.9q/ha of dry matter

yield over locations. It was found suitable for cultivation in Zone I and Zone II of

the State.


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Seed Production and Seed Technology

Nucleus and Breeder Seed Production

During Kharif, 2014, a total of 289 kg nucleus seed (46 kg stage I and 243 kg stage II) of

soybean was produced (Table 6).

Table 6: Nucleus seed of soybean produced (kg) by the Department of Seed Science

Technology during Kharif 2014

Crop Variety Stage I Stage II

Soybean Hara Soya 10 64

Palam soya 10 65

Shivalik 12 64

Himso 1588 14 50

Total 46 243

A total of 22133.95 kg breeder seed of cereals, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables and fodder

crops was produced by the University during Kharif 2014 (Table 7).

Table 7: Breeder seed of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fodder crops produced

(kg) during Kharif 2014.

Crop Variety/Hybrid Total Breeder

Seed produced

(kg)

Cereals

Maize Bajaura Makka, Girija, Bajaura popcorn 420.0

Paddy HPR 2143, HPR 1068, HPR 1156, RP 2421, Kasturi Basmati,

VL Dhan 221, Bhrigu Dhan, Pusa 1121, Palam Lal Dhan 1,

Palam Basmati 1

6634.0

Total 7054.0

Oilseeds

Soybean Hara Soya, Palam Soya, Himso 1588, Shivalik 5332.0

Til LTK 4 390.0

Toria Bhawani 205.0

Total 5927.0

Pulses

Kulthi HPK 4, VLG 1 221.0

Cowpea C 475, C 519 110.0


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Mash UG 218, Kullu 4, Palampur 93, Pant U 19, PDU1, Him

Mash1, Uttera

3968.0

Rajmash Kanchan, Him 1, Jwala, Baspa, Kailash 1520.0

Moong Suketi 20.0

Total 5839.0

Vegetables

Chillies Surajmukhi 20.5

Brinjal Arka Keshav, Arka Nidhi, H-8 3.95

Okra P 8 289.5

Total 313.95

Forage Crops

Maize African Tall 3000.0

Total 3000.0

Grand total 22133.95

A total of 7195 kg. foundation seed of cereals, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables and fodder

crops was also produced by the University during Kharif 2014 (Table 8).

Table 8: Foundation seed of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fodder crops produced

(kg) during Kharif 2014.

Crop Variety/hybrid Total foundation seed produced

(q)

Cereals

Maize HQPM 1 hybrid 95.00

Paddy Pusa Basmati, HPR 2143 1350.00

Total 1445.00

Oilseeds

Soybean Hara soya, Early P-1 1225.00

Toria Bhawani 107.00

Total 1332.00

Pulses

Mash UG 218, Pant U-19, Him Mash-1 3698.00

Moong Suketi, IPM-02-3 35.00

Cowpea C 475, C 519 138.00

Arhar Sarita 2.00

Kulthi HPK-4 90.00

Total 3963.00

Vegetables

Okra P 8, Palam Komal 301.00

French bean Palam Mridul 17.00

Total 318.00

Forage crops

Maize African Tall 137.00

Total 137.00

Grand Total 7195.00


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Seed Technology Research

Standardization of seed vigour test in hybrid maize (HQPM 1) revealed that root volume

(cm3), chlorophyll content (micro g/g), primary root length (cm), length of secondary

roots (cm), number of secondary roots, fresh weight of roots (g), dry wt. of roots (g), fresh

weight of shoot (g), dry weight of shoot (g), shoot length (cm), leaves/plant, plant height

(m), cobs/plant, seeds/cob, and 1000-seed weight were found good indicators of seed

yield (q/ha) while first count (%), final count (%), seedling length (cm), seedling dry

weight (g) and vigour index were found good indicators of field emergence in hybrid

maize.

Genetic purity of 42 private sector maize hybrids and 76 landraces was ascertained using

SSR markers and the fingerprinting library maintained.

Seven varieties of rice viz., HPR-2143, HPR-1156, HPR-2720, RP-2421, VL-221,

HPR-1068 and Kasturi Basmati of rice which are in the seed production chain

were identified using SSR markers and the fingerprinting library maintained,

however, for variety HPR-2612 no primers could be identified as the unique

primers for its identification

Crop Production

Identification of need based cropping systems for different agro-climatic

conditions (1a)

The studies from 2010-11 to 13-14 revealed that maximum maize grain (Zea mays

L.) equivalent yield and net returns were recorded in Maize (Green cob) +

Asparagus bean (Vigna unguiculata L.) - Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)-Onion

(Allium cepa L.) (38.8t/ha and Rs. 203842/-) followed by Maize (Green cob) +

Frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris)-Pea (Pisum sativum L.)-Summersquash

(Cucurbita pepo L.) (28.1t/ha and Rs. 117703/-) and Maize (Green cob) –

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.)-Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (25.6 t/ha and Rs.

66384-) compare to traditional maize-wheat cropping system (7.7 t /ha and

Rs.41920/-).

Table 9: Yield (kg/ha) and energy output (106 K cal/ha/annum) under different crop

sequences (mean of four years, 2010-11 to 2013-14)

Crop sequence Yield main product MGEY*

Energy

output Kharif Intercrop Rabi (I) Rabi (II)

Maize-wheat 2242 4408 7688 23.2

Maize (GC)+ French

bean (Pole)-pea-

Summer squash

3977 117 2295 14955 28126 7.2

Maize+soybean-garlic 2290 272 4763 20364 16.3

Maize (GC)-Broccoli-

potato

3982 4543 11597 25559 13.0

Maize+asparagus bean- 2251 137 19004 15552 38785 17.5


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radish-onion

Maize (GC)+rice

bean/mash-cauliflower-

French bean

3868 79 7947 2846 18515 5.5

Maize (GC)+rice bean/

moong-cauliflower-

buckwheat

4311 251 7648 3066 17659 6.0

Maize (GC)+

asparagus bean-

broccoli-radish

3700 121 4713 9872 23359 5.7

Development and validation of on Station Farming System Model for one hectare

area for mid hill regions of Himachal Pradesh

In the development of IFS Model for one hectare area, a net profit of Rs. 53549/-

was obtained from one hectare area in which cropping system contributed a net

profit of Rs. 35,533/- from (0.65 ha), Horticulture cum vegetable Rs. 541/- from

(0.175 ha), Fodder Block Rs. 12933/- from (0.10 ha) and Dairy unit Rs. 4542/-

A rice variety developed by R&WRC, Malan for cultivation under upland

conditions (HPR 2795, IET 22978) performed exceptionally well in the

agronomic trials conducted by the centre giving more than 65% higher yield than

the national check (Vivekdhan 154) as well as regional check (Sukaradhan1, HPR

1156).

To meet out the fodder scarcity in Lahaul, sowing of Oats ‘Palampur 1’ may be taken up

after the harvest of green peas in July (Plate 3). But the sowing of French bean

‘Contender’ will have to be accomplished in the first week of July as further delay in

sowing resulted in low temperature injury at the time of pod formation. Sowing Oats in

lines produced (177.8 q/ha) more compared to the broadcast method. Oats cultivation on

farmers fields have picked up a lot

Seed rate of 250 kg/ha for garden peas resulted in higher productivity and profitability.

Amongst the different vegetable crops evaluated for potential yield and net returns in

Lahaul valley, Cauliflower (271.1 q/ha) was found to be more remunerative crop (Rs 5.13

Lakhs/ha) compared to tomato, cabbage, garden pea, and French bean.

Planting Cauliflower ‘Sweta & Maharani’ and Cabbage ‘Varun’ in 30 cm x 30 cm crop

geometry produced more head yield than that at 45 cm x 30 cm. Though the head weight

was more at wider spacing.

Soil Water and Nutrient Management

Nutrient management

Conjoint use of FYM/vermi-compost with inorganic fertilizers was found to be superior

in comparison to sole application of fertilizer based on soil test and general recommended

dose in increasing the grain and straw yield of maize, and maintaining the soil fertility

status. The target yield 40 q ha-1

with 2.5t and 5t ha-1

of FYM and vermin-compost was

significantly superior as compared to soil test based and general recommended dose in

terms of grain and straw yield during kharif 2014.


13

The long-term fertilizer study on nutrient management in maize-wheat system revealed

that the application of 10 t FYM ha-1

only to maize crop along with 100% recommended

dose of NPK to maize recorded highest yield of maize.

Application of lime along with recommended rates of N, P and K recorded maize yield at

par with 100% NPK + FYM

The effect of different levels of zinc application (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 & 10.0 kg ha-1

) was

studied in maize-wheat cropping system (kharif 2014) and it was found that maize grain

yield showed maximum response to highest application of zinc i.e. Zn @ 10 kg ha-1

.

In frontline demonstrations at farmers’ field, application of fertilizers as per target yield

concept, in general, gave higher yields of soybean in comparison to farmers practice and

general recommended dose.

Studies on delineation and reassessment of micro and secondary nutrients deficient areas

and updating soil fertility maps reveals that the soils of Kinnaur district were slightly

acidic to slightly alkaline with very high organic carbon, low available nitrogen, high

available phosphorus and sufficient available potassium. About 12.22 and 38.89 % of soil

samples soils were deficient in sulphur and available Manganese, respectively.

Soil reaction of samples from Spiti valley was found almost neutral to slightly alkaline.

The soils of Spiti valley had low to very high organic carbon status. Majority of the soils

of the area had low available N content. Around 86.43 and 43.57 % of soil samples soils

were deficient in Fe content and Manganese, respectively.

Water Management

For maximizing production and water use in cauliflower – capsicum cropping sequence,

each crop should be irrigated at three day interval with pressurized drip irrigation system.

The quantity of water applied per irrigation should be equal to 1.0 time of cumulative pan

evaporation (CPE) of preceding three days. Soil test based recommended NPK dose

should be used for eight fertigations with an interval of 11 days between two successive

fertigations.

For maximizing production, broccoli crop should be irrigated at three day interval with

gravity fed drip irrigation system. The quantity of water applied per irrigation should be

equal to 1.0 time of cumulative pan evaporation of preceding three days. Hundred per

cent of soil test based recommended NPK dose should be used for eight fertigations with

an interval of at least 11 days between two successive fertigations.

For better production and economics, onion crop should be irrigated at three day interval

with cumulative PE of 0.6 per cent and fertigated with 100 per cent recommended

nitrogen through locally prepared liquid manure from sheep droppings.

Gravity fed system resulted in saving irrigation water and increased water use efficiency

in brinjal. For maximizing production, water use efficiency and economics gravity fed

drip irrigated brinjal crop should be fertigated twice a month with 75 per cent of the

recommended NPK.

Incorporation of FYM @10 tonnes ha-1

and application of plastic mulch and irrigation

either 2 or 4 cm of water depth resulted in increasing WUE and irrigation water saving in

brinjal.


14

Disease Management

Local strains of Trichoderma were found most effective against soil borne pathogens.

The plant extracts of botanicals namely Eucalyptus globulus, Eupatorium adenophorum,

Lantana camara and Melia azedarach were found effective against soil borne pathogens

in vitro conditions.

Organic inputs namely Panchgavya , Orguard , Tamarlassi and Akshvan + FBM were

found effective against plant pathogens.

At Dhaulakuan, the experiment on yield losses in maize due to maydis leaf blight and

banded leaf and sheath blight revealed that plots sprayed with Tilt @ 0.1% showed less

severity of MLB and BLSB and resulted in an increase of 66.7% in yield over unsprayed

plots.

Two foliar sprays of Nativo 75 WG (trifloxystrobin 25 + tebuconazole 50) @0.8 g/l

resulted in excellent control of false smut of paddy.

Out of eighteen AVT-I entries of soybean under AICRP evaluated for identifying

resistance sources, the line Himso 1685 from Palampur centre was found highly resistant

against Frogeye leaf spot, Pod blight (Ct), Bacterial pustule and Brown spot diseases.

Seed treatment with tebuconazole + NSKP followed by sprays of propiconazole and

seed treatment with metalaxyl + mancozeb + NSKP followed by sprays of propiconazole

were found effective against root rot, anthracnose, leaf blights and nematode diseases of

fodder cowpea.

Seed treatment with Raxil @ 1.0g/kg seed and foliar spray of propiconazole (0.1%)

followed by seed treatment with Raxil @ 1.0g/kg seed and foliar spray of hexaconazole

(0.1%) were highly effective in reducing disease incidence of foliar diseases and

increasing yield in mash crop.

Seed treatment of infected chili seeds with T. viride + P. florescence and T. harzianum +

P. florescence proved quite effective in reducing the Colletotrichum capsici incidence.

Full genome sequence of Pepper mild mottle virus has been determined and the strain

present in Himachal Pradesh is P12. None of capsicum hybrids/chili germplasm is resistant

to the PMMoV.

The seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2 g/kg and two foliar sprays of propiconazole @

1ml/l provided best management of zonate leaf spot with 11.4 % disease severity with

maximum green fodder yield (289.1q/ha) as compared to control i.e. 76.1 per cent disease

severity with 241.6/ha green fodder yield.

Insect-Pest Management (IPM)

In rice under MRST, entries were screened against leaf folder and rice hispa. KAUM 166-

2 and TN 1 were found best. In LFST, 248(S) and W 1263 were found promising against

leaf folder. Against leaf folder, rynaxypr @ 150 g a.i./ha was found best. Chlorpyriphos

@1250 ml/ha gave best control of rice hispa (Fig.1) in an OFT at Pharer. At Sundernagar,

flubendiamide 480 SC @0.25 g/L showed 79.30 and 79.82% reduction in damage of rice

stem borer and rice leaf folder, respectively.

Forty lines of paddy supplied by the DRR, Hyderabad were also screened for their

reaction to root knot nematode, Melidogyne graminicola. Two lines i.e. AV-1-13-3705

and AV-1-13-3706 were found to be resistant. For the management of M. graminicola,

neem cake @ 100g/m2, carbofuran @ 1 kg ai/ha and their combined application were

evaluated . All the treatments suppressed the nematode build up, but ICBR was found to

be favorable where carbofuran was applied alone. Among bioagents, Trichoderma viride,


15

Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus were tested against M.

gramminicola. All these bio agents suppressed the nematode population at the evaluated

dosages and increased the yield as compared to the untreated check. However, favorable

ICBR could not be recorded in any of these bioagents.

In mash, imidacloprid (ST) + cypermethrin foliar spray resulted in maximum reduction

(55.41%) in blister beetle population. Against bean bug, imidacloprid (ST) + triazophos

spray was found best at Sundernagar. At Palampur in organic production system, Lantana

dust 10% and neemban 3ml/L provided 100% protection against blister beetles

In soybean, bean bug (Chauliops species) was recorded as major insect-pest and its

maximum incidence was recorded in August at Palampur. In AVT-I, minimum incidence

of the bug (14.58%) was recorded in NRC-94. In AVT-II, RVS 2001-18 showed least

damage of bean bug.

In brinjal, a spray schedule consisting of spraying with quinalphos 25EC (0.005%)

followed by a mixture of azadirachtin @5ml/L and carbendazim@ 0.1% at 15days

interval followed by a mixture of cypermethruin @0.3ml/L and Ridomil MZ @2.5g/L at

15days interval followed by a mixture of acephate 75SP @ 0.65ml/L and companion @

2.5g/L at 15 days interval was found most effective against L. orbonalis.

In okra, flubendiamide 480SC @ 48 and 60 g a.i./ha resulted in significantly less fruit

damage by shoot and fruit borer of okra . Under organic production system at Palampur,

neembaan @ 3ml/l was found highly effective against flea beetles.

In potato, application of chlorpyriphos10G @ 2.0 kg a.i./ ha provided maximum control

of whitegrubs (B. coriacea) at Kheradhar in Sirmour district. There was 7.83% tuber

damage on weight basis in treatment as compared to 28.75 per cent in control.

Under protected cultivation, Myzus persicae was the major pest on capsicum. The

avoidable losses in marketable yield in summer crop varied from 31.5 – 76.2% in

different infestation levels. The gain threshold was calculated to be 27.5 and 10.0 for

neem and imidacloprid based aphid management programme. For management of M.

persicae in capsicuym, imidacloprid (soil application) followed by foliar application of

acetamiprid and neem was found best treatment.

In cucumber, red spider mite was recorded as major pest. .The losses inflicted by red

spider mite were found to be the function of initial mite population and crop age at which

the infestation initiates. The avoidable loss over mite free plants worked out revealed it to

vary from 33.5 to 62.5, 15.4 to 44.2 and 3.2 to 30.2 per cent when the infestation was

initiated 30, 45 and 60 DAT, respectively.

In tomato, a spray schedule consisting of Acephate 75 SP @ 6.5g/10 litres+ Dithane Z-78

(2.5g/litre) followed by mixture of Helicide (Ha NPV 100 LE @ 0.5ml/litre + Indofil M

45 (2.5g/litre) + Gur (0.5%) + Tween 80 (0.05%) after 15 days of 1st spray followed by

spray with a mixture of Lambda-cyhalothrin @ 0.004% (Bravo 5%) @ 8 ml /10 litres +

Copper oxychloride (0.30%, 30 g /10 litres ) after 15 days of 2nd

spray was most effective

against tomato fruit borer and fruit rot diseases.

Weed Management

Increasing dominance of Ageratum conyzoides at silking stage, Commelina

benghalensis and Brachiaria sp in maize crop was observed.

Weeds in unweeded check reduced the grain yield of paddy by more than 50%.For the

control of mixed weed flora in DSR pendimethalin fb bispyribac fb manual weeding

1000 fb 25g/ha (0-2 fb 20 DAS fb 45 DAS) was the best treatment.


16

In field trial conducted for developing effective weed management module for

rice grown under rainfed upland conditions, pre – emergence application of

butachlor 1.5 kg / ha (applied 2 – 3 DAS) followed by post – emergence

application of Bispyribacsodium 25 g / ha (applied 25 DAS) gave significantly

higher yield than the use of both these herbicides individually.

Weed Management Technologies

To control mixed weed flora in wheat isoproturon 0.75kg/ha + 2,4-D(Na) 0.5kg/ha

(30DAS) should be applied

Postemergence application of Quazilofop ethyl @60 g/ha+ Chlorimuron @4g/ha

recommeded for the control of weeds in soybean.

For the control of sedges (Cyperus spp.) and broad leaved weeds, apply 2,4-DEE

(Himore 4% granules) @ 20 kg/ha or spray 2,4-DEE (Himore38 EC) @ 2.6 kg/ha after

20-25 days of transplanting .

Spray Cyhalofop butyl 90 g/ha in the form of Clincher 10 EC @ 900 ml/ha at 15 days

after broadcasting of sprouted seeds to control grass weeds fb 2, 4-DEE 1.0 kg/ha to

control broad leaved weeds.

Spray Cyhalofop butyl 90 g/ha in the form of Clincher 10 EC @ 900 ml/ha at 15 days

after sowing to control grass weeds fb 2, 4-DEE 1.0 kg/ha to control broad leaved weeds

in tansplanted rice.

Early post emergence application of atrazine (7-10 DAS) can also be done

in case it could not be applied as pre emergence.

Application of clodinofop@60g/ha in wheat as postemergence recommended for control

of gassy weeds.

In the absence of spray pump atrazine can also be broadcasted after mixing with 150 kg

sand /ha but sufficient moisture should be ensured.

Biotechnology

Development of genomic resources in horsegram:

A horsegram F2 population of cross HPKM-249 X HPK-4 consisting of 188 plants

was genotyped using 1090 SSR primer pairs of related species (Trifolium, pigeon

pea, pea, lentil and 384 COS of Medicago truncatula). Out of 706 SSR primers,

416 were successfully amplified in parental lines and 86 polymorphic primers

were used for genotyping of mapping population. Of the 384 COS primers, 186

produced good amplification in parents and of these 11 were successfully used in

the mapping population.

Out 63 EST-SSR primers designed from EST data bases of NCBI, 49 primers

produced good amplification but only 10 were found polymorphic between

parental lines.

Transcriptome data were used to design SSR primers from possible 3342 SSR

sequences and out of 370 primers tested so far 146 were polymorphic. Out of 146

polymorphic primers, 79 were genotyped in the F2 population of HPKM-249 x

HPK-4. The sequence data of horsegram were used to design the genomic SSR in

this crop. Of the total 5754 potential SSR identified from illumine Hiseq data, 27

polymorphic primers were identified by in-silico analysis. Out of 27 primers only

19 were actually found to be polymorphic in parental lines and hence were used

for genotyping.


17

Markers-assisted selection for β- carotene in maize

Nine plants were selected from a maize population of BAJIM 6-10 and CIMMYT

-13 using primers HYD 65 F, 62 R and 65 R. β- carotene maize population has

been screened with above mentioned primers for foreground selection. All three

alleles were found in genotype nos. 9 and 17

Organic Agriculture

Out of the 14 genotypes of mash, DKU-95 significantly out yielded best check Palampur -

93 giving 12.70 q/ha, whereas, among 10 genotypes of soybean tested under organic

input conditions VLS-63 significantly out yielded best check giving 21.56 q/ha yield.

For nutrient management in mash, vermicompost @ 5t/ha+biofertlizer+3 applications of

liquid manure (vermiwash) at 15 days interval commencing from 20 days after sowing

produced (23.60 q/ha) mash equivalent yield which was 62.5% higher as compared to

FYM @ 5 t/ha treatment. However, in the absence of biofertilizer and liquid manure

vermicompost 10 t/ha should be applied at the time of sowing.

Ridge sowing of mash produced significantly higher mash yield as compared to normal

sowing and comparative study of organic & inorganic nutrient management revealed that

application of vermicompost @ 7.5 t/ha gave significantly highest yield (7.87 q/ha)

followed by integration of vermicompost and recommended dose of fertilizers (3.75

t/ha+50% RDF).

For the management of blister beetle menace in mash Lantana dust 10% (grinded leaves)

and neem baan 3ml/l found most effective and provided 100% protection against blister

beetle and for the management of flea beetle infesting okra crop Neembaan @ 3ml/l was

found most effective in the range of 69.35__

90.22% followed by Lantana dust 10% where

efficacy was in the range of 63.60-86.95%.

Ricebean genotype RBHP-38 significantly out yielded best check VRB-3 in AVT-II trial

giving 17.59 q/ha grain yield and RBHP-102 was highest yielder in AVT-I trial having

19.25 q/ha.

In Soybean, application of Himcompost @ 5 t/ha closely followed by FYM @ 15 t/ha and

VC @ 10 t/ha alongwith the liquid manure i.e. Himsol (3 applications) at 15 days interval

were the best treatments for nutrient management.

In soybean neem oil (Neembaan) @ 3ml/l was most effective in the range of 68.21-

93.47% followed by neem seed kernel extract 5%.

Different vegetable and legume based cropping systems were evaluated and Cowpea –

garlic system and Soybean–Garlic system produced 141.3 and 139.5% higher soybean

equivalent yields respectively as compared to Cowpea–Onion cropping system whereas,

Okra–Gram system produced highest equivalent yield (113 q/ha) followed by Okra – Pea

(104.4 q/ha).

In okra, VC 10 t/ha+Jeevamrit and FYM 15 t/ha+Jeevamrit are the best treatments for

nutrient management.


18

Farm Mechanization

1. Development and evaluation of seed drill suitable with light weight power

Weeder

A three row seeder was fabricated in the workshop to suit with power weeder/tiller

for increasing its versatility.The three furrow opener was made from 5 mm plate.

The weight of the machine was 22.5 kg without seed. The machine (Seeder) field

performance was carried out in field condition at the university farm. The

effective field capacity was observed to be 0.10 ha/h at a forward speed of 2.0

km/h with field efficiency of 69%. The labour requirement could be saved more

than 50 % with drill.

A seed cum ferti drill was fabricated with the overall dimension 570 X 720 X 670

mm and having weight 32 kg. The effective field capacity was observed to be 0.12

ha/h with field efficiency of 70 %.

As based on survey done, the most labor consuming and drudgery prone activities

in apple cultivation are harvesting and pruning. Ergonomically improved ladder of

bamboo and Iron with following specification were made and provided to apple

growers in Kullu district, which they were using it for apple harvesting and other

cultivation practices.

2. Development of reaper

A light weight front mounted reaper was fabricated by BCS in collaboration with our

department to suit with power weeder for increasing its versatility. This machine is the

need of hour for the hill farming community. Initially, a main frame was fabricated using

angle iron and GI sheet. The reaper cutting blade was selected 100 cm with light weight

weeder. A gear box was used to provide the transmission to cutter bar and conveying belt.

The weight of the machine was about 120 kg so that users may operate easily.

3. Evaluation of Paddy Seeder

Paddy seeder of 4 and 8 rows were evaluated in a village Punnar. The capacities of the

seeder were 0.11 ha/h and 0.23 ha/h with field efficiency of 65 to 70 %.

Tea Husbandry and Technology

Evaluation of Botanicals against Insects of tea:

The acqueous solutions and powders of Polygonum hydropiper (Ghaniri), Datura

inoxia (Datura), Vitex negundo (Banna), Solanum carolinense (Jungali Booti),

Ocium tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Gentiana kurroo (Neelkanthi), Urtica dioica

(Bichoobooti/ Stinging nettle), Eucalyptus sp. (Safeda), Citronella, Eupatorium ,

Lantana, Melia, etc. along with other biodynamic formulations were prepared and

applied in the experiments.

It was reported that Eupatorium 10% and Panchgavya 10% found very effective

throughout the growing season against mite and aphid.

Citronella 5% as the best option to control the effect of tea leaf folder.

It was reported that Malia 5% and cow urine + fermented butter milk 10% extract were

found very effective for control of leaf minor in tea orchards.


19

Cow urine + 20% Eupatorium reported an effective organic alternate for the management

of Blister blight disease.

Evaluation of bio-pesticides against pest complex of tea

During highest infestation of leaf miner in July Neem oil 0.03% followed by Neem

formulation reported to be very effective against leaf minor in tea.

It was observed that Metarrhizium, Neem oil 0.03% and Neem formulation was best

treatments to control leaf folders in tea.

It was reported that Verticillium lacani and Neem formulation found very effective

throughout the growing season to control mite in tea orchard.

Geo-informatics

GIS Server based Web Portal for HP Crop Diversification Project (HPCDP), has been

developed under the Project "Establishment of GIS and MIS and Monitoring System"

funded by JICA-ODA, Hamirpur.

Crop yield forecasting carried out for four districts (Hamirpur, Kangra, Chamba and Una

districts) for kharif season maize crop and rabi season wheat crop of Himachal Pradesh.

Higher pre-harvest maize yield of 1928.4 kg/ha was predicted for the Una district

followed by Kangra district i.e. 1570.3 kg/ha. The yield of wheat crop 1948.6 kg/ha was

predicted for the Una district with an error % age of -6.3. The forecast obtained through

the statistical model analysis was submitted in the Union Ministry Budget which was

acceptable at National level.

On Going Research Projects

S. No. Particulars No. of Projects Budget outlay (Rs. in lakhs)

ICAR Funded Projects

1. AICRPs 37 1600.00

2. Adhoc Projects 10 1048.34

DBT Funded Projects 11 368.93

DST Funded Projects 12 458.31

UGC funded projects 6 63.27

Miscellaneous Adhoc Projects 59 910.57

RKVY Projects 6 332.22

Total 141 4781.64

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